PAFOIC – PENNSYLVANIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COALITION The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition is back! With newspapers folding, fake news sites proliferating, and various groups chipping away at Pennsylvania’s landmark 2007 Right-to-Know Law, it’s more important than ever for citizens to defend our right to access information about what our government is doing. RIGHT TO PUBLIC ACCESS OF COURT RECORDS In particular, allowing the public to access the courts and judicial records casts a “bright light upon the judicial process” and helps prevent “injustice, incompetence, perjury and fraud.”. For most, but not all, types of civil and criminal proceedings and records, there is a presumptive right of public access.
RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW
A violent or life-threatening act that violates the criminal laws of the United States or any state and appears to be intended to: (1) intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (2) influence the policy of a government; or. (3) affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination or QUICK LINKS TO RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW EXCEPTIONS Quick Links to Right-to-Know Law Exceptions. The Right-to-Know law has an express presumption that all records in possession of government agencies are public. However, there are more than 30 exemptions that allow agencies to deny access. An agency’s use of an exemption is discretionary; they are not required to deny access just because they can.
BYLAWS – PAFOIC
The Coalition shall have four Officers, all of whom shall be Directors. The Officers are: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Section 2. Election of Officers. Each of the Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of Directors present at a Board meeting at which there is a quorum. Section 3. PENNSYLVANIA’S SUNSHINE ACT The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 701. Short title of chapter. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Sunshine Act. Section 702. Legislative findings and declaration. (a) Findings. The General Assembly finds that the right of the public to be present at all meetings of WHAT IS A PUBLIC RECORD UNDER THE RIGHT TO KNOW LAW? HOW TO MAKE A REQUEST FOR RECORDS SUNSHINE ACT CASE SUMMARIES Sunshine Act Case Summaries. Below are archived summaries of state Commonwealth and Supreme Court rulings impacting the interpretation of Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act (open meetings law). Links to court opinions are included, when available. We’ve temporarily suspended summarizing these cases. Please check back later for new content. RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW CASE SUMMARIES Published on August 9, 2013. The Commonwealth Court determined that when an agency fails to respond to a Right to Know Law request within the time mandated under the law, the agency still may argue that the requested records are exempt from disclosure under the RTKL if the requester files an appeal. PAFOIC – PENNSYLVANIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COALITION The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition is back! With newspapers folding, fake news sites proliferating, and various groups chipping away at Pennsylvania’s landmark 2007 Right-to-Know Law, it’s more important than ever for citizens to defend our right to access information about what our government is doing. RIGHT TO PUBLIC ACCESS OF COURT RECORDS In particular, allowing the public to access the courts and judicial records casts a “bright light upon the judicial process” and helps prevent “injustice, incompetence, perjury and fraud.”. For most, but not all, types of civil and criminal proceedings and records, there is a presumptive right of public access. RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW
A violent or life-threatening act that violates the criminal laws of the United States or any state and appears to be intended to: (1) intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (2) influence the policy of a government; or. (3) affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination or QUICK LINKS TO RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW EXCEPTIONS Quick Links to Right-to-Know Law Exceptions. The Right-to-Know law has an express presumption that all records in possession of government agencies are public. However, there are more than 30 exemptions that allow agencies to deny access. An agency’s use of an exemption is discretionary; they are not required to deny access just because they can.
BYLAWS – PAFOIC
The Coalition shall have four Officers, all of whom shall be Directors. The Officers are: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Section 2. Election of Officers. Each of the Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of Directors present at a Board meeting at which there is a quorum. Section 3. PENNSYLVANIA’S SUNSHINE ACT The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 701. Short title of chapter. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Sunshine Act. Section 702. Legislative findings and declaration. (a) Findings. The General Assembly finds that the right of the public to be present at all meetings of WHAT IS A PUBLIC RECORD UNDER THE RIGHT TO KNOW LAW? HOW TO MAKE A REQUEST FOR RECORDS SUNSHINE ACT CASE SUMMARIES Sunshine Act Case Summaries. Below are archived summaries of state Commonwealth and Supreme Court rulings impacting the interpretation of Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act (open meetings law). Links to court opinions are included, when available. We’ve temporarily suspended summarizing these cases. Please check back later for new content. RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW CASE SUMMARIES Published on August 9, 2013. The Commonwealth Court determined that when an agency fails to respond to a Right to Know Law request within the time mandated under the law, the agency still may argue that the requested records are exempt from disclosure under the RTKL if the requester files an appeal. WHO WE ARE – PAFOIC Who We Are. The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition, founded in 2005, represents the interests of real people and organizations who seek access to government records and proceedings. It participated in writing the state’s Right-to-Know law in 2008 and has served a critical need in the early and sometimes contentious years of an era BECOME A PAFOIC MEMBER If you find this website helpful and want to join our efforts to improve access to government records and meetings, become a PaFOIC member! We welcome all individuals, neighborhood groups, community organizations, nonprofits, businesses, news media, educators and government officials, and anyone else who supports our mission. STATE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES State Government Resources. Pennsylvania Office of Open Records —The Office of Open Records was created in 2008 by passage of Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know law (RTKL). It is an independent quasi-judicial agency authorized to hear and decide appeals from requesters who have been denied access to records by state and local agencies.
HOW TO MAKE A REQUEST FOR RECORDS A Right to Know Law request should be submitted in writing in one of four ways: Fax. Email. S. Mail. In Person. Requests also can be made verbally, but making requests in writing is strongly recommended. The reason for this recommendation is simple: if the request is denied, you must include a copy of your request to file an appeal. ADVOCACY RESOURCES
Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Free Public Records Directory – Statewide public record resources for Pennsylvania. Additional resources by county and topic. Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Reporter’s Guide to the Law – Excellent resource on the Sunshine Act and Right-to-Know Law, as well as recent court decisions regarding both.; Common Cause/Pennsylvania — A non-profit, non-partisan BYLAWS – PAFOIC
The Coalition shall have four Officers, all of whom shall be Directors. The Officers are: President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Section 2. Election of Officers. Each of the Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of Directors present at a Board meeting at which there is a quorum. Section 3. QUICK LINKS TO EXPRESSLY PUBLIC RECORDS Quick Links to Expressly Public Records. The Right-to-Know law has an express presumption that all records in possession of government agencies are public. However, there are more than 30 exemptions that give agencies the discretion to deny access. Equally as important, there are 22 provisions in the Right-to-Know law that specifically clarify
RIGHT-TO-KNOW REQUEST AND APPEALS PROCESS Appeal to the Office of Open Records. You can file an appeal to the OOR within 15 business days of the mailing date of the agency’s denial. Appeals should be sent to the Office of Open Records, Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North St., Harrisburg, PA 17120-0225. They may also be submitted via facsimile to 717-425-5343 or via email to
HOW TO APPEAL AN AGENCY’S DENIAL OF YOUR REQUEST If you miss this deadline, your appeal will not move forward. Fill out an OOR Appeals Form and include the following information and documents: A copy of your original request. A copy of the agency’s denial letter, unless your request was “deemed denied” (in other words, the agency did not respond to your request at all). If your request
FACT-FINDING MEETINGS CAN BE HELD IN PRIVATE The Commonwealth Court held that meetings of a quorum of township supervisors can be held in private if they are fact-finding in nature, even if the meetings were designed to allow the supervisors to gather information to make a decision at a later date. The court suggested that the only meetings that must be open to the public are meetings where official action is taken or a specific PAFOIC – PENNSYLVANIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COALITION Transparency, Training, Advocacy and Legal Work. Office of Open Records advisories to agencies regarding COVID-19. The Office of Open Records has issued advisories to guide local governments on how to handle public records and public meetings while BECOME A PAFOIC MEMBER If you find this website helpful and want to join our efforts to improve access to government records and meetings, become a PaFOIC member! We welcome all individuals, neighborhood groups, community organizations, nonprofits, businesses, news media, educators and government officials, and anyone else who supports our mission. STATE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES Pennsylvania Office of Open Records —The Office of Open Records was created in 2008 by passage of Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know law (RTKL).It is an independent quasi-judicial agency authorized to hear and decide appeals from requesters who have been denied RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law provides for access to public information, appeal of agency determination, judicial review and the Office of Open Records. RIGHT TO PUBLIC ACCESS OF COURT RECORDS The official registration and financial information of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1
PENNSYLVANIA’S SUNSHINE ACT Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act is an act requiring public agencies to hold certain meetings and hearings open to the public; and providing penalties.
QUICK LINKS TO RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW EXCEPTIONS The Right-to-Know law has an express presumption that all records in possession of government agencies are public. However, there are more than 30 exemptions that allow agencies to deny access. WHAT IS A PUBLIC RECORD UNDER THE RIGHT TO KNOW LAW? HOW TO MAKE A REQUEST FOR RECORDS COUNTY RIGHT-TO-KNOW POLICIES The official registration and financial information of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1
PAFOIC – PENNSYLVANIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COALITION Transparency, Training, Advocacy and Legal Work. Office of Open Records advisories to agencies regarding COVID-19. The Office of Open Records has issued advisories to guide local governments on how to handle public records and public meetings while BECOME A PAFOIC MEMBER If you find this website helpful and want to join our efforts to improve access to government records and meetings, become a PaFOIC member! We welcome all individuals, neighborhood groups, community organizations, nonprofits, businesses, news media, educators and government officials, and anyone else who supports our mission. STATE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES Pennsylvania Office of Open Records —The Office of Open Records was created in 2008 by passage of Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know law (RTKL).It is an independent quasi-judicial agency authorized to hear and decide appeals from requesters who have been denied RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW
Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law provides for access to public information, appeal of agency determination, judicial review and the Office of Open Records. RIGHT TO PUBLIC ACCESS OF COURT RECORDS The official registration and financial information of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1
PENNSYLVANIA’S SUNSHINE ACT Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act is an act requiring public agencies to hold certain meetings and hearings open to the public; and providing penalties.
QUICK LINKS TO RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW EXCEPTIONS The Right-to-Know law has an express presumption that all records in possession of government agencies are public. However, there are more than 30 exemptions that allow agencies to deny access. WHAT IS A PUBLIC RECORD UNDER THE RIGHT TO KNOW LAW? HOW TO MAKE A REQUEST FOR RECORDS COUNTY RIGHT-TO-KNOW POLICIES The official registration and financial information of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1
WHO WE ARE – PAFOIC The official registration and financial information of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1
STATE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES Pennsylvania Office of Open Records —The Office of Open Records was created in 2008 by passage of Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know law (RTKL).It is an independent quasi-judicial agency authorized to hear and decide appeals from requesters who have been denied HOW TO MAKE A REQUEST FOR RECORDS The official registration and financial information of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1
MISSION STATEMENT
The official registration and financial information of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1
ADVOCACY RESOURCES
Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Free Public Records Directory – Statewide public record resources for Pennsylvania. Additional resources by county and topic. Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Reporter’s Guide to the Law – Excellent resource on the Sunshine Act and Right-to-Know Law, as well as recent court decisions regarding both.; Common Cause/Pennsylvania — A non-profit, non-partisan QUICK LINKS TO EXPRESSLY PUBLIC RECORDS The official registration and financial information of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1
PROPOSED LEGISLATION ON ACCESS The official registration and financial information of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1
SUNSHINE ACT CASE SUMMARIES Below are archived summaries of state Commonwealth and Supreme Court rulings impacting the interpretation of Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act (open meetings law). Links to court opinions are included, when available. We’ve temporarily suspended summarizing these RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW CASE SUMMARIES The Commonwealth Court ruled that information in legal bills that reflected clients’ names and the description of work done by lawyers paid by the state Senate must be disclosed under the Right to Know Law and is not exempt as attorney work-product, under grand jury secrecy rules, or by the law’s criminal investigation exception. COMMONWEALTH OPEN MEETINGS GUIDE Download a copy of the state’s Open Meetings Guide. (4th Ed: June 2015) Includes court interpretations and legal citations, as well as a copy of the law.
PAFOIC – PENNSYLVANIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COALITION From the PaFOIC President. The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition is back! With newspapers folding, fake news sites proliferating, and various groups chipping away at Pennsylvania’s landmark 2007 Right-to-Know Law, it’s more important than ever for citizens to defend our right to access information about what our government is doing. BECOME A PAFOIC MEMBER Become a PaFOIC Member. If you find this website helpful and want to join our efforts to improve access to government records and meetings, become a PaFOIC member! We welcome all individuals, neighborhood groups, community organizations, nonprofits, businesses, news media, educators and government officials, and anyone else who supports our STATE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES State Government Resources. Pennsylvania Office of Open Records —The Office of Open Records was created in 2008 by passage of Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know law (RTKL). It is an independent quasi-judicial agency authorized to hear and decide appeals from requesters who have been denied access to records by state and local agencies.
RIGHT TO PUBLIC ACCESS OF COURT RECORDS In particular, allowing the public to access the courts and judicial records casts a “bright light upon the judicial process” and helps prevent “injustice, incompetence, perjury and fraud.”. For most, but not all, types of civil and criminal proceedings and records, there is a presumptive right of public access. RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW
A violent or life-threatening act that violates the criminal laws of the United States or any state and appears to be intended to: (1) intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (2) influence the policy of a government; or. (3) affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination or PENNSYLVANIA’S SUNSHINE ACT The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 701. Short title of chapter. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Sunshine Act. Section 702. Legislative findings and declaration. (a) Findings. The General Assembly finds that the right of the public to be present at all meetings of QUICK LINKS TO RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW EXCEPTIONS Quick Links to Right-to-Know Law Exceptions. The Right-to-Know law has an express presumption that all records in possession of government agencies are public. However, there are more than 30 exemptions that allow agencies to deny access. An agency’s use of an exemption is discretionary; they are not required to deny access just because they can.
WHAT IS A PUBLIC RECORD UNDER THE RIGHT TO KNOW LAW? HOW TO MAKE A REQUEST FOR RECORDS COUNTY RIGHT-TO-KNOW POLICIES County Right-to-Know Policies. The Right to Know Law requires each agency to post the following information at its offices, and on its website if it has one: Contact information for the open records officer. Contact information for the Office of Open Records or other applicable appeals officer. A form which may be used to file a request.
PAFOIC – PENNSYLVANIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COALITION From the PaFOIC President. The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition is back! With newspapers folding, fake news sites proliferating, and various groups chipping away at Pennsylvania’s landmark 2007 Right-to-Know Law, it’s more important than ever for citizens to defend our right to access information about what our government is doing. BECOME A PAFOIC MEMBER Become a PaFOIC Member. If you find this website helpful and want to join our efforts to improve access to government records and meetings, become a PaFOIC member! We welcome all individuals, neighborhood groups, community organizations, nonprofits, businesses, news media, educators and government officials, and anyone else who supports our STATE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES State Government Resources. Pennsylvania Office of Open Records —The Office of Open Records was created in 2008 by passage of Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know law (RTKL). It is an independent quasi-judicial agency authorized to hear and decide appeals from requesters who have been denied access to records by state and local agencies.
RIGHT TO PUBLIC ACCESS OF COURT RECORDS In particular, allowing the public to access the courts and judicial records casts a “bright light upon the judicial process” and helps prevent “injustice, incompetence, perjury and fraud.”. For most, but not all, types of civil and criminal proceedings and records, there is a presumptive right of public access. RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW
A violent or life-threatening act that violates the criminal laws of the United States or any state and appears to be intended to: (1) intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (2) influence the policy of a government; or. (3) affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination or PENNSYLVANIA’S SUNSHINE ACT The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania hereby enacts as follows: Section 701. Short title of chapter. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Sunshine Act. Section 702. Legislative findings and declaration. (a) Findings. The General Assembly finds that the right of the public to be present at all meetings of QUICK LINKS TO RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW EXCEPTIONS Quick Links to Right-to-Know Law Exceptions. The Right-to-Know law has an express presumption that all records in possession of government agencies are public. However, there are more than 30 exemptions that allow agencies to deny access. An agency’s use of an exemption is discretionary; they are not required to deny access just because they can.
WHAT IS A PUBLIC RECORD UNDER THE RIGHT TO KNOW LAW? HOW TO MAKE A REQUEST FOR RECORDS COUNTY RIGHT-TO-KNOW POLICIES County Right-to-Know Policies. The Right to Know Law requires each agency to post the following information at its offices, and on its website if it has one: Contact information for the open records officer. Contact information for the Office of Open Records or other applicable appeals officer. A form which may be used to file a request.
STATE GOVERNMENT RESOURCES State Government Resources. Pennsylvania Office of Open Records —The Office of Open Records was created in 2008 by passage of Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know law (RTKL). It is an independent quasi-judicial agency authorized to hear and decide appeals from requesters who have been denied access to records by state and local agencies.
WHO WE ARE – PAFOIC Who We Are. The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition, founded in 2005, represents the interests of real people and organizations who seek access to government records and proceedings. It participated in writing the state’s Right-to-Know law in 2008 and has served a critical need in the early and sometimes contentious years of an era HOW TO MAKE A REQUEST FOR RECORDS A Right to Know Law request should be submitted in writing in one of four ways: Fax. Email. S. Mail. In Person. Requests also can be made verbally, but making requests in writing is strongly recommended. The reason for this recommendation is simple: if the request is denied, you must include a copy of your request to file an appeal. ADVOCACY RESOURCES
Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Free Public Records Directory – Statewide public record resources for Pennsylvania. Additional resources by county and topic. Pennsylvania Bar Association’s Reporter’s Guide to the Law – Excellent resource on the Sunshine Act and Right-to-Know Law, as well as recent court decisions regarding both.; Common Cause/Pennsylvania — A non-profit, non-partisan MISSION STATEMENT
Mission Statement. The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition works to ensure that all people have full access to Pennsylvania state and local government records and proceedings. Such access fosters responsive, accountable government, stimulating civic QUICK LINKS TO EXPRESSLY PUBLIC RECORDS Quick Links to Expressly Public Records. The Right-to-Know law has an express presumption that all records in possession of government agencies are public. However, there are more than 30 exemptions that give agencies the discretion to deny access. Equally as important, there are 22 provisions in the Right-to-Know law that specifically clarify
PROPOSED LEGISLATION ON ACCESS Proposed Legislation on Access. More than 6,000 bills are introduced during each two-year legislative session. Inevitably, many of these have an impact – expressly or as a practical matter – on your right to know. Some are actual Right-to-Know amendments. The National Freedom of Information Coalition has built an automatic bill tracker RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW CASE SUMMARIES The Commonwealth Court ruled that information in legal bills that reflected clients’ names and the description of work done by lawyers paid by the state Senate must be disclosed under the Right to Know Law and is not exempt as attorney work-product, under grand jury secrecy rules, or by the law’s criminal investigation exception. SUNSHINE ACT CASE SUMMARIES Sunshine Act Case Summaries. Below are archived summaries of state Commonwealth and Supreme Court rulings impacting the interpretation of Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act (open meetings law). Links to court opinions are included, when available. We’ve temporarily suspended summarizing these cases. Please check back later for new content. COMMONWEALTH OPEN MEETINGS GUIDE Download a copy of the state’s Open Meetings Guide. (4th Ed: June 2015) Includes court interpretations and legal citations, as well as a copy of the law.
PENNSYLVANIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COALITION PENNSYLVANIA FREEDOM OF INFORMATION COALITION * Home
* Become a PaFOIC Member * About
* Mission Statement
* Bylaws
* Who We Are
* Accomplishments
* Amicus Briefs
* Testimonies
* Open Records
* Right-to-Know Law
* Quick Guide to the Right-to-Know Law * Quick Links to Right-to-Know Law Exceptions * Quick Links to Expressly Public Records * Right-to-Know Request and Appeals Process * Right-to-Know Law Case Summaries * Court Records
* “In the Know” Newsletter * Right to Know & Media Law Blog * Open Meetings
* Commonwealth Open Meetings Guide * Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Act * Sunshine Act Case Summaries * Resources
* Advocacy Resources * State Government Resources * Proposed Legislation on Access * County Right-to-Know Policies WHAT WE DO
TRANSPARENCY
* Monitor activity statewide to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have full access to government records and proceedings * Serve as a “go-to” group in public disputes on access * Serve as a media resource WHAT WE DO
TRAINING
* Provide a Quick Guide to
Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know and Sunshine laws * Provide citizen training through libraries and schools * Provide specialized training to lawyers * Provide online training for Right-to-Know requesters WHAT WE DO
ADVOCACY
* Provide legislative testimonials * Provide support in specific matters * Analyze, publicize significant legislation and policies impacting access
* Maintain public and government awareness of transparency as backbone of democracy ‹
›
QUICK GUIDE TO THE RIGHT-TO-KNOW LAW Easy to read in a Q&A format, our comprehensive guide to Pennsylvania’s Right-to-Know law is a great place to start your research.
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ADVOCACY RESOURCES
A collection of helpful state and national resources on open records and open meetings.
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PENNSYLVANIA’S SUNSHINE ACT Pennsylvania's Sunshine Act requires public agencies to make many hearings and meetings open to the public. More »
------------------------- OFFICE OF OPEN RECORDS ADVISORIES TO AGENCIES REGARDING COVID-19 The Office of Open Records has issued advisories to guide local governments on how to handle public records and public meetings while agencies combat the spread of the new coronavirus. The upshot: Agencies can delay responding to Right-to-Know Requests under various emergency provisions, but agencies are encouraged to be as transparent as possible to build trust. You can read the advisory regarding Right to Know requests here .
Even if public meetings are being held by teleconference or video conference, the Sunshine Act still applies — the public still has a right to attend and participate. Agencies are also encouraged to record and post all such meetings online. You can read the advisory regarding the Sunshine Act here .
SUPREME COURT CLOSES ALL COURTS EXCEPT FOR “ESSENTIAL PROCEEDINGS” Most court proceedings are postponed. Those that remain, mostly involving matters dealing with someone’s personal safety (such as the issuing of protection from abuse orders) and someone’s loss of freedom (such as preliminary arraignments) can continue in courtrooms designed to minimize person-to-person contact. How will this be interpreted regarding public access to open courts? We’ll soon see. You can read the Supreme Court order here .
LEGISLATURE LOOSENS VOTING, WAITING REQUIREMENTS FOR BILL DURING COVID-19 EMERGENCY
Both the Pennsylvania Senate and House have passed new rules in light of the coronavirus emergency. Both chambers adjourned, though they remain on 12-hour call by the chair. In the Senate, members can file bills electronically and participate in committee meetings and sessions remotely. The new rules last through Jan. 31 or 10 days after the governor’s emergency order expires, whichever comes first. You can find the full Senate resolution here
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Meanwhile, in the House, members can vote on bills or participate in committees remotely, or through proxy. The House no longer has to post bills 24 hours before a committee vote, 12 hours after a bill is amended on second consideration or six hours to be voted on concurrence. For now, the wait period for any of those three steps is reduced to three hours. The new rules expire when the governor’s emergency order expires. You can find the resolution authorizing this here
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FROM THE PAFOIC PRESIDENT The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition is back! With newspapers folding, fake news sites proliferating, and various groups chipping away at Pennsylvania’s landmark 2007 Right-to-Know Law, it’s more important than ever for citizens to defend our right to access information about what our government is doing. We’re not an industry or special interest group; we’re a coalition, an alliance of citizens, journalists, librarians, attorneys, researchers, teachers, and other human beings who live, work, pay taxes, volunteer, send our kids to school, fish and hunt, and need and use the services that government provides. We are dedicated to ensuring that all people have full access to Pennsylvania state and local government records and proceedings. Government runs best when it’s conducted in the sunlight, in full view of the people it represents. We hope the resources on these pages will help you navigate Pennsylvania’s open government laws, and we invite you to join us. Together, we can make sure Pennsylvania has a bright, open future! – Susan Schwartz, President _The official registration and financial information of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. · Tax ID # 20-3771204._ © 2020 PaFOIC · 4075 Linglestown Rd. #312, Harrisburg, PA 17112 · Legal Disclaimer · Privacy Policy Contact Us ·
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